The glue gun is a versatile tool that can be used for gluing wood, leather, plastic, delicate materials and lots more. In this failsafe guide you’ll find out how to use a hot melt glue gun and how to avoid common mistakes right from the get-go – from inserting a glue stick to cleaning the glue gun.

1. Mind the glue gun nozzle

Once warmed up, the glue gun nozzle is hot, so do not touch it unless you are wearing heat-resistant gloves. Another thing to remember is that the hot nozzle can leave burn marks on your material, so make sure that it doesn’t come into contact with it. Always keep your glue gun at a safe distance from the material. To control where the glue goes, lean your wrist or elbow against a support to keep your arm steady.

2. Protect your workspace

Always protect your work area, because you don’t want it to be covered with hardened glue, which is difficult to remove. You can use covering such as a cutting mat, baking paper or a piece of cardboard. A silicone mat is your best protection since you can just peel off any spilled glue afterwards. If you’re working on a small project, you can use a glue pad
.

3. Wait until the glue gun has warmed up

Always let your glue gun warm up for about five minutes, before you use it. You'll know that the glue is warm enough when it turns to liquid and is released when you press the trigger. When working with a dual-temperature glue gun – such as the Dremel Glue Gun 930
– you’ll need to find out the right temperature for your type of glue stick. Coloured glue sticks always require a lower temperature.

4. Always use the stand of your glue gun

One thing to remember is to always place a hot melt glue gun on its stand when you’re not using it. Never lay the glue gun on its side, because this will cause it to drip hot glue. All Dremel Glue Guns have a drip-controlled precision tip that prevents glue from dripping when they’re placed on the stand.

5. Pull the trigger slowly

Whether you’re gluing wood or a delicate material, it’s always best to take your time with the glue gun to make sure you get used to it. Especially for creative projects, when you want to be precise, practice your technique on some scrap material; never force the glue through the glue gun. Instead, pull the trigger slowly, as pulling too hard will force a large amount of glue to be released and you’ll lose control.

6. Never pull out a half-used glue stick

When using a hot melt glue gun, it’s important to use the entire glue stick, instead of pulling it out and replacing it with a new one. Never remove a half-used glue stick through the back of the glue gun when it’s still on, because the hot glue might drip onto your hands and you might burn yourself.

7. Clean the glue gun nozzle before it cools down

When you’re finished gluing, always unplug the glue gun first before doing anything else. Start cleaning the nozzle while the glue is still warm, to prevent the glue on the nozzle going hard and blocking the nozzle. To remove the glue from the nozzle – which is still warm, so be careful! – always wear heat-resistant gloves, and wipe down the glue gun nozzle with a piece of cloth.